I had a sneaking suspicion this fella was some kind of knockoff, but the fact that anyone would use the OA Mahi Mahi mug as a base for making cheap-y party ware seemed kinda weird to me. Not only is it an exceptionally rare mug from an obscure location, but it's kind of a weird design to boot.

It really looks nearly identical to the Tiki Farm repop of the OA mug (sans the Mahi Mahi markings), but then... look at those recent Chinese knockoffs of Tiki Farm's Lil' Waha Nui, Mana Mana, Tikinator, etc that popped up on ebay awhile ago. The mug-mashers are always out there, lurking in the shadows....

I also saw that auction on ebay and obviously someone made an offer that couldn't be refused. It looks more like a vase than a drinking vessel to me and according to the description it's rather small at 9" in height. Who knows what it exactly is or how it was used. Couldn't find any pictures anywhere with that particular version in it.

On another note of "crypto mugs", the Zombie Village menu has a listing of two mugs. One for the Tabu which must have been the amazing Zombie Village mug but the other one listed is for the Bambooie which includes a "ceramic vase."

Then one day I came across a listing for two vases with the same Zombie Village mug markings. I'm pretty certain that these are the mugs for the Bambooie.

Unfortunately I was too late for the mugs and 5 years later I have never come across these ones since. So... are these the Bambooie mugs? Does anyone have these? Either way, another crypto mug to look for.

Currently, I'm waiting with great anticipation to see who ends up with all the Los Angeles Island/Spurlin/Stella Bodey pieces that just went up on e-Bay. A whole collection of cryptos on the block! Some of them I've never seen or heard of before. Amazing.

Not sure who the seller is (dzlist) however he has a fine collection he is selling on ebay.Looks like he is a
reader or member of TC and gives props to DC .Cobra Fang and a viscious virgin . as well as some other
rare Spurlin mugs .The Islander - La Cienega .Who wouldn't want these in their collection !
I'll let you guess who is currently bidding on most of them !

[quote]
On 2012-10-05 12:36, Trader Tom wrote:Okay, so I saw this Kava Bowl up on e-Bay, and then like so many wonderful things that pop up, the auction was quickly canceled, probably when somebody with deep pockets made an offer.

It appears to be an early piece without the scalloped top edge. Anybody seen one like this?

The Trader Vic's Kava bowl is exceptional; I'd be willing to make a trade, in the owner's favor, for it.

A minor crypto mug I guess. I feel it is fitting and I like keeping this thread alive! I found this Coconut Mug with this marking which looks like an "I" but as Philip Roberts pointed out, might be a T and a L combined. Which still doesn't help me figure out who the maker is.

BUT I have found where I have seen this marking before. Which is this Honolulu Trader Vic's Bowl.

And this Honolulu Trader Vic's mug:

So this is most likely the Honolulu Trader Vic's coconut mug from the same era. However, the famed Hawaii TV menu with the Polynesian Pottery mugs, doesn't feature the bowl, mug and also features a different coconut mug.

Which looks like a Coco Joe's piece

Neither the Honolulu Trader Vic's marked bowl, mug or the coconut mug are (obviously) from Polynesian Pottery and I wonder who the maker mark is for. And curious if they came after or before the Polynesian Pottery mugs.